Jet spray treating machine

ABSTRACT

A MACHINE FOR WASHING, SCOURING OR OTHERWISE SPRAY TREATING ONE OR MORE CONTINUOUS WEBS OR PIECES OF FABRIC, EITHER TUBULAR OR AS SLIT OPEN WIDTH, INCLUDING SELECTIVELY RETRACTABLE UNCURLING ROLLS, INCLUDING WEB FEED OR DRIVE MEANS AND CONTROLS FOR AUTOMATICALLY VARYING THE RATIO OR DRIVE SPEEDS TO ACCOMMODATE PIECE BULKING OR THE LIKE IN PASSING THROUGH THE MACHINE, INCLUDING MEANS FOR INFINITELY ADJUSTING SPRAY DISCHARGES TO SUIT THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OR FABRIC REQUIREMENTS, AND INCLUDING IMPROVED SPRAY RECOVERY AND FILTER STRUCTURES FOR RELIABLE TROUBLEFREE MACHINE OPERATION.   D R A W I N G

Feb. 2091973 D. B. SPENCER JEI' S'PRAY TREATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1971 v I NVEN TOR.

DONALD 5. SPENCER BY ATT'Y.

Feb. 20, 1973 D. B. SPENCER 3,717,015

JET SPRAY TREATING MACHINE Filed July 26. 1971 4 Shets-Sheet 2 fig INVENTOR.

DON/MD ,5. spa/val? ATT'Y.

Feb. 20, 1973 D. B. SPENCER 3,717,035

JET SPRAY TREATING MACHINE Filed July 26. 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. DONALD B. SPENCER ATr'x.

Feb 20, 1973 p. a. SPENCER JET SPRAY TREATING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

DONALD 8. SPENC'R ATT'K United States Patent Oflice 3,717,015 Patented Feb. 20, 1973 3,717,015 JET SPRAY TREATING MACHENE Donald 3. Spencer, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor t McGraw-Edison Company, Elgin, Ill. Filed .iuly 26, 1971, Ser. No. 166,006 Int. Cl. 1305c 5/00 US. Cl. 68-18 F 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DHSCLOSURE A machine for washing, scouring or otherwise spray treating one or more continuous webs or pieces of fabric, either tubular or as slit open width, including selectively retractable uncurling rolls, including web feed or drive means and controls for automatically varying the ratio or drive speeds to accommodate piece bulking or the like in passing through the machine, including means for infinitely adjusting spray discharges to suit the specific purpose or fabric requirements, and including improved spray recovery and filter structures for reliable troublefree machine operation.

In the textile industry, it is common to wash or scour or otherwise treat grey goods or fabric prior to or after dying or printing to remove impurities or excess pigments from the cloth. Each piece is typically up to approximately 76 inches in width and from 50 to 150 yards in length and is typically wound on a roll, and this invention discloses a high speed machine that can handle all such treating tasks.

A most effective washing principle utilizes a hydrodynamic jet spray of liquid against and through a continuously passing fabric or cloth. One particular jet washing process is disclosed in the Brown et al. Pat. 3,177,505 which issued Apr. 13, 1965 and apparatus suitable for performing this washing process is disclosed in the companion Brown et al. Pat. 3,123,994 which issued Mar. 10, 1964. A basic characteristic of this jet washing process is that a relatively thin stream or jet of liquid is directed at a high velocity, typically higher than 360 inches per second, against and through the fabric moving continuously past the jet discharge frequently at speeds in excess of 50 feet per minute. Various improvements on this basic system have been devised including a backup barrier in the form of a rotatable roll as disclosed in the Woodworth Jr. Pat. 3,163,030 which issued Dec. 29, 1964; and an improved backup barrier in the form of a perforated tube surrounding a solid inner cylinder as taught in the Pace Pat. 3,440,842 which issued Apr. 29, 1969. Another specific improvement includes a means of st ipping the material from supporting carrier belts as disclosed in the Glenn et al. Pat. 3,431,753 which issued Mar. 11, 1969.

While high velocity jet spray washing, as taught in these patents, does rapidly and effectively clean the fabric, there are possible drawbacks with the machines disclosed in these patents. One such drawback is the fact that the impact of the high velocity water spray against the fabric can literally tear some fabrics apart, to preclude the use of this high velocity discharge for such fabrics. Another drawback is that hydrodynamic spraying frequently drives off loose fibers or pigments from the fabric which upon recycling of the liquid can plug the jet nozzles or damage the pump unless these solids are properly filtered out. Even with a filtering system, some nozzles do become plugged and removal of these components for complete cleaning becomes necessary. 7

This invention relates to, and an object of the invention is to provide, a machine that is versatile in that it will wash, scour, rinse and/or otherwise continuously spray treat one or more pieces of fabric, either as a tubular piece or slit open width pieces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine having means for accurately controlling discharge spray velocities, thereby accommodating different treating functions like scouring, delinting, mechanical depigmentating as might be required on the fabric.

Another object of this invention is to provide mechanism for selectively uncurling the fabric to full Width, such as might be required with a single centered web of work, but where this uncurling mechanism can be selectively retracted so that two or more webs of fabric can be simultaneously passed through the machine with no lateral shifting of the webs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine capable of underfeeding or overfeeding a web of fabric so that varying bulking characteristics can be accommodated as the web passes through the machine. Thus overfeeding the web by up to 20% is possible for severe bulking or fabric shrink or conversely underfeeding the web is possible to tension it for removing air entraped in a tubular piece.

Another object of this invention is to provide means in the form of independent drives located along the path of web travel through the machine such that bulking or stretch characteristics can be automatically accommodated by varying the web speeds at various locations from some average rate, and further where automatic sensing means determine the appropriate instantaneous web speeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide uncurling mechanisms suitable for uncurling the edges of a web to full width as the web passes through the machine while also underfeeding or overfeeding the web to provide reliable speed compensation control, as noted in the p eceding objects.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray manifold construction and spray manifold mounting means where the entire manifold can be removed from the machine by only one man and without damage to other machine components, principally including the web carrier belt which if it becomes nicked can cause picking or snagging of the fabric.

Another object of this invention is to provide backup rolls for supporting the fabric and the carrier belt and for opposing and dissipating the spray discharge energy, the same rolls being economical and durable and highly effective.

Another object of this invention is to provide reliable and economical filtering means for the returning sprayed liquid to permit recycling with reduced tendency to plug or clog the spray nozzles, where the filtering means further can be easily changed or cleaned with a minimum of machine down time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid spray machine of the type noted in the previous objects, which further has means for accurately, economically and infinitely varying the spray discharge velocity to improve machine versatility for washing, scouring, delinting, mechanical depigmentating or otherwise spray treating of such goods.

These and other objects of this invention will be more fully understood and appreciated after reviewing the following specification, the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, generally in schematic, showing a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away and again in schematic of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3- is an enlarged elevational generall schematic view of part of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, of that portion of the machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. is an end elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of the machine as seen from the right end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as seen generally from l1ne 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is -a perspective view of the screen filter suitable for use in the filter arrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are detailed elevational views of the valve shown, and as taken from line 8-8 in FIG. 5 and from line 99 in FIG. 8, respectively;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational sectional view as taken generally from line 1010 in FIG. 1, and showing specific details of a manifold and its mounting arrangement;

FIG. 11 is a broken away plan view of an energy dissipating backup roll used in the machine and shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view as seen generally from line 12-12 in FIG. 10, and partly broken away for clarity of disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detailed view of the roll shown in FIG. 11.

Referring first to FIGS. 1' and 2, the machine 10 is shown in schematic form as is a piece or web 12 of fabric as it passes through the machine from the unfinished or untreated end to the finished or treated end. Specifically, the web 12 of material is taken, for example, from a roll 14 for passage over a sky roll 15 which is supported as part of the machine, and thence from there through a wash or scour tank 17, a first extractor 18, a rinse tank 20, a second extractor 21, and out to an automatic folding device 22 where the treated fabric can be stacked up in a pile 23 on a cart 24. The wash or scour tank 17 can be physically identical to the rinse tank 20, and the first and second extractors 18 and 21 can be similar, except for only incidental difference to be noted later on.

The wash or scour tank 17 thus typically includes an endless wire screen carrier belt 26 which is trained over a plurality of idler rolls 27 and a drive roll 28 powered by motor 29 and also over a takeup roll 30 supported on arm 31 pivoted about a frame mount 3-2. In addition the belt 26 is trained over a backup roll 34 and past a wash manifold 35 located outwardly adjacent the backup roll where the manifold is suited to discharge a spray of liquid through the fabric web and against the backup roll 34. The same components in the rinse tank are identified as 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, and 45 respectively. Thus, powered rotation of the power roll 28, 38 for example moves the belt 26, 36 so that the web 12 of fabric is carried on the belt between the spray manifolds 35, 45 and the backup rolls 34, 44.

*It is to be noted that the rolls mentioned are elongated cylindrical elements and extend almost completely across the frame of the unit and the carrier belt is almost of like width to accommodate full or open width slit webs of fabric. As mentioned above, fabric can be 76" or wider when opened to full width, so that the preferred embodiment has a belt and roll width slightly wider, 80 inches for example to allow some nominal edge clearance.

Located between the sky roll 15 on the infeed or upstream end of the tank 17 is an idle roll 47 and a pair .of opposed infeed power rolls 48. Chain or other drive means power the drive roll 48 through an adjustable speed reducing device 50 to provide adjustable web underfeed or web overfeed from the power rolls 48 to the carrier belt 26. Web underfeed provides some web tension between the power infeed rolls 48 and the moving conveyor belt 26, as is frequently desired-with a tubular web to minimize any tendency of a bubble forming inside the tube; whereas web overfeed accommodates bulking or shrinkage of significantmagnitude as might occur in the tank 17.

Located also between the idler roll 47 and the power infeed rolls 48 is a retractable uncurling device 52. Additional retractable uncurling devices are located along the path of the web, specifically including the device 54 located between the tank 17 and the extractor 18, device 56 located between the extractor 18 and the tank 20, and device 58 located between the tank 20 and the extractor 21. The specific operation and details of construction of these retractable uncurling devices 52, 54, 56, and 58 will be given later on.

The extractor mechanism 18, previously noted, in effect comprises opposing rollers 60 and 61 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 also) which has one roller laterally fixed and powered by a motor 62 and which has the other roller 61 journaled in guide rails 63 allowing movement toward and away from roller 60, and a power cylinder 64 adjustably biases the roller 61 against the roller 60. The excess liquid thus collected in the fabric web is squeezed from the Web as it passes between the rollers 60 and 61. This liquid is collected in pan 66 underlying the extractor mechanism and in turn is conveyed by pipe 67 back to the tank 17.

Between tank 17 outfeed and the extractor 18 is located a speed control 70, as likewise speed control 72 is located between the extractor 18 and the rinse tank infeed roll 37, and speed control 74 is located between the discharge end of tank 20 and the extractor 21. Each of these speed controls is generally the same as far as components although they may be set up slightly different as will be outlined hereafter.

For example the speed control 70 includes an idler roll 76 supporting the web 12 and a dancer roll 77 loading the web and is guided by channels 78 to move only vertically. The dancer roll 77 is connected by linkage including, for example a chain 79 that passes over a sensor wheel 80 to a counterweight 81 which allows adjustment of the elfective weight or load of the roll 77 on the web. The weight typically is adjusted so that the roll 77 does have sufficient weight that it normally would maintain tension on the web 12 as it is suspended between the rolls 76 and 60 for example. Connected oif sensor wheel 80 is a potentiometer or rheostat 82 which is electrically coupled to motor 62 for the extractor 18 to vary the power input responsive to the height of the-dancer roll. Consequently, as the roll rises, this indicates that the infeed to the extractor 18 is too fast compared to the outfeed from the tank 17 so that the control reduces the input to the motor 62 and thereby slows it down. Whereas the opposite is true on a falling dancer roll 77 where additional power is provided to the motor 62 to speed up the drive. This thereby tends to stabilize the relative speeds of the powered extractor and the powered carrier belt 26 in the tank so that continuity of web is maintained through the unit. The speeds cannot be mechanically connected since there might be changes in web length as the web passes through the various components of the unit 10. A manual adjustment 83 is also possible on the rheostat 82 to trim the speed mechanically to some preselected or approximated relative ratio for initially starting the unit were the actual speeds might then be only slightly different from the approximated speeds.

The speed control 72 has like components to that of control 70, being identified respectively as 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, and 93. The speed control 74 (FIG. 1) has like components to the speed control of 70, and likewise the extractor 21 is comparable to the extractor 18 shown in FIG. 3 and has similar components. Consequently, the speed control 72 determines the infeed speed of the web from the extractor 18 to the tank 20 by the rheostat 92 controlling the input to the carrier belt motor 39, and the speed control 74 determines the take away or infeed speed of the extractor 21 relative to the outfeed speed from tank 20, where input to extractor motor 96 driving the power roll 97 is changed by the rheostat 98 responsive to the varying height of the dancer roll 99.

It is thus noted that there are four independently driven components 17, 18, 20, and 21 specifically depicted as the motor 29 powering the carrier belt 26; the next followed extractor 18 which motor 62 is controlled by the web slack at control 70; the carrier belt 36 of the rinse tank 20 with motor 39 controlled by web slack at speed control 72; and the extractor 21 with drive motor 96 regulated by the speed control 74. Since these four components are all independently speed controlled, any change in length of the web as it is passed through the unit, caused by temperature, moisture, or for whatever reason, is automatically compensated for by the pull infeed on the next downstream driven component. More commonly, these controls will consistently hunt for the proper instantaneous speed ratio.

It is also noted that outlet roll and sky roll 101 on the discharge or finished end of the machine are also powered at the same or slightly greater speeds than the extractor 21 and by the motor 96, so that web tension is maintained until discharged from the machine as through the folding mechanism 22, for example. This folding mechanism 22, it should be noted, is just a typical example of what might be associated with the discharge end of the web from the machine. For example, it is possible with minor variations to run the web continuously through a roll iron, through a dryer, or through a dye vat or other treating tank separate and apart from that shown. However, since the various possible purposes that might be served after treating the web with this unit do not form any part of this invention, a folding mechanism 22 is shown as merely a typical web handling device. In like manner the number of separate tanks, namely 17 and 20, can be increased or some even reduced to one if such were desired. Pan 103 underlying the extractor 21 is connected through pipe 104 to the rinse tank 20.

The particular construction details of the retractable uncurling mechanisms 52, 54, 56, and 58 will now be disclosed, where reference can be made initially to FIG. 1 for the location of the same and to FIGS. 3 and 4 for the specific construction of the same. Again, the basic components are comparable differing only in the location above or below the web of the lead and trailing scroll rolls and the power drives to the rolls as will be outlined.

Referring first to the uncurling mechanism 54 (FIGS. 3 and 4), note that it is located between the wash tank roller 28 and the idler roller 76 upstream of the speed control 70, and it consists of a pair of rolls 110 and 111 which are located on opposite sides of the web 12. Each of the rolls 110 and 111 is mounted rotatably in journals 112 typically carried on end plates 113 which in turn are rotatably mounted on stub shafts 114 relative to frame plates 115. In the uncurling position of the end plates, the respective rollers 110 and 111 are against the web 12 (shown at 54 in FIG. 3) where the web is diverted from a straight line tangent to the rolls 28 and 76 by and around rolls 118 and 111. In the retracted position of the end plates (shown at 56 in FIG. 3) the web passes freely between the adjacent supporting rollers 86 and 37 for example in a straight line. Adjustment means are provided by shouldered handles 118 extended through slots 119 on the frame plates 115 and threaded into appropriate taps on the end plates 113. Thus within the angular limits of the slots 119, the rolls 110 and 111 can be caused to engage the web to a greater or lesser extent or can be entirely retracted from any engagement.

On the cylindrical surface of each roll a diverging pair of helixes 128 and 121 are provided typically by a wire or rod welded thereon or other material buildup on the surface. These helixes diverge, one 120 as a left hand thread and the other 121 as a right hand thread from the center outwardly toward the roll end. By reversing the ends of the roll, viz. flipping the roll end for end, the location of the helixes can also be reversed. Thus, for example, the roll 110 has its left hand helix 120* on the left side of unit as seen in FIG. 4 and its right hand helix 121 on the right side of the unit, while conversely, the roll 111 has its right and left hand helixes just the opposite. By rotating the roll to move the periphery in the same or opposite direction as and relative to the passing web, the web is not only caused to uncurl outwardly to full width but is also assisted in its forward movement or retarded. It has been found preferable to drive the rolls relative to the web at surface speeds between approximately 50% and 150% of the actual web speed in the same direction or opposite direction, viz. either web assisting or web retarding, to pull or shift any web slack in the direction toward the adjacent speed control so that all web slack is sensed at the speed control.

The drive of the uncurling rolls and 111 is off the adjacent carrier belt roll, where drive roll 28 (FIGS. 3 and 4) has a sprocket 125 keyed thereto and shaft 126 mounted rotatably in one stub shaft 114 is connected thereto by a keyed sprocket 127 and chain belt 128. A gear 129 keyed to shaft 126 drives through gear 130 keyed to the roll 111 to rotate the roll in a counterclockwise direction as seen in the FIGS. 1 and 3, and a sprocket 131 keyed on shaft 129 connects through a chain drive 132 to sprocket 133 keyed to the roll 110 to drive this roll in a clockwise direction.

The other uncurling devices 52, 56, and 58 are similar basically to device 54, except as noted hereafter. For example, in the uncurling device 58, it is desirable to drive any web slack to the speed control 74 and thereby the roll and helix orientation and the direction of rotation are all comparable to the device 54, except the drive for the rolls would be taken Off rinse tank power roll 38. From FIGS. 3 and 4, it is noted that although the helix orientation and drive directions are similar, the lead roll is located above the web and the trailing roll 141 is located below the web. This thereby provides a drag on the web 1" passing between the rolls to shift any web slack back to the speed control 72 at the dancer roll S7. The infeed uncurling device 52 would have the helix orientation opposite to that shown in device 54 where the lead roll 145 would look like roll 111 and the trailing roll 146 would look like roll 110, and the roll rotation would be opposite to the rolls of device 54 so that drag is exerted on the web as the web is uncurled. This eliminates web slack immediately upstream of the infeed rolls 48.

As thus noted, a single continuous web of cloth or fabric could be easily threaded through the unit and centered where the engaged uncurling devices 52, 54, 56, and 58 would then spread the web to its full width, and the powering speed of the web is varied as required by the automatic speed controls 70, 72, and 74. If it is desired to run two or more narrow webs simultaneously, it is possible to retract the uncurling devices 52, 54, 56, and 58 where the webs then would pass freely through the unit.

Having described the web path and drive through the unit, attention is now directed to the particular web treating devices. Two manifolds 35 are provided in the scour tank 17 and two manifolds 45 are provided in the rinse tank 20. Different manifold combinations can be used in either or each tank, but the unit operates quite well with the arrangement shown. Each manifold is or can be the same structurally.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, each manifold basically includes a tube 150 which has a plug 151 closing one end and which is open at the other. The open end fits in a sleeve coupling 152 and O-rings 153 confined on the tube prevent leakage, while the opposite tube end is confined within coupling 154. The tube 150 has a plurality of nozzles 155 staggered along the length thereof as two rows 156 and 157. Each nozzle preferably discharges a relatively narrow spray pattern axially of the tube, and the spray patterns of adjacent nozzles in each row just meet or only slightly overlap to provide two continuous spray patterns across the width of the carrier belt.

Each manifold tube 150 opens through its coupling 152 to a tube 160a, 160b, 1600, and 160d (FIGS. 2. and which is connected through a control valve (only those for the rinse tank, viz 1610 and 161d being shown) to the discharge side of a pump 1630, 163d powered by a motor 1640, 164d. Each tank has a drain 165, 166 to a sump 167, 168, and the sump is connected to the inlet of the adjacent pumps (only the connection from sump 168 to pumps 163a and 163d being shown). A pump (not shown) would likewise be used for each wash tank manifold 35.

In each sump (again only the rinse tank sump 168 being shown) there are two filter units 170 and 171. The filter 170 is inclined to lie across the path of liquid flowing through the sump, and this filter is accessable only through a top opening closed with a cover 172 bolted thereon. This filter has screen openings (for example) no larger than the allowable maximum particle size which can pass freely through the pump and nozzle without any clogging. The filter unit 171 is designed to allow it to be changed in a matter of seconds, although preferably only when the pumps are not operating.

The filter unit 171 includes a top open stack 174 having pairs of side tracks 175 each designed to receive and hold a filter element 176. The filter element rests on the sump bottom and extends thereacross up to the stack top, which is higher than the liquid level in the tank and can be three or four feet above the sump top. The filter 176 (FIG. 7) includes a full height screen 178 which again has openings no larger than the maximum size particle that can be allowed through the pump and nozzles, and a frame element 179 sandwiches part of the screen leaving large areas 180 of screen only. The edge bars 181 of the frame give rigidity to the filter and also provide for easy sliding of it into the stack 17 between the tracks 175.

As noted in FIG. 5, liquid flows in the direction indicated and any solids would collect more at the lower openings 180 to restrict these openings first, and would collect also on the upstream filters first. A differential pressure sensitive device 184 having upstream pressure tap 185 and downstream pressure tap 186 on opposite sides of the filters 170 and 171 would be set to be activated when a certain differential existed across the taps representing for example, when effectively 40% of the filter area were blocked. Upon such occurrence a signal light 187 might be illuminated although the machine would continue to operate until the operator manually would shut down the pumps.

With the pumps inactive, it is possible to lift out the upstream filter and to replace it with either a new filter or the downstream filter, which typically would have little collected thereon. The removed filter could then be cleaned and replaced as the downstream filter even while the machine were operating. With spare filters, the machine could be operated with both filters in place, and the operator at his convenience could clean the removed filter for subsequent use. Filter 171 would only rarely have to be changed because the upstream filters if properly maintained would do most of the filtering.

Since filters 171 might have to be changed hourly, depending upon the spray velocity and the type of fabric, this quick change filter arrangement is most significant in improving machine efficiency. Moreover, this large filtering area, much larger than the sump conduit, is most effective since the liquid is moving slower than through the sump.

Again referring to FIGS. and 12, the mounting means for the manifold will be more fully explained, particularly as relates to the means for easily removing the manifold. The manifold tube 150, as was noted, is supported in the sleeve couplings 152 and 154 which are removably mounted relative to the tank wall 189. A reinforcing ring 190 is welded to the inside of the tank wall and provides an opening through which the sleeve of the coupling 152, 154 can fit, bolts 191 are likewise welded to this ring to project through openings in the tank wall and the couplings. The pump tube has a flange adjacent the coupling 152 and the same is held in place by ring 192 where nuts 193 removably secured on the bolts clamp the assembly together. Gaskets 194 and 195 can lie between the tube flange and coupling and between the couplings and tank walls, respectively to preclude leakage. The sleeve 154 has a pin 196 which fits within a slot on the end block 151 to preclude rotation of the manifold. An adjustment screw 199 is threaded through the coupling 154 to engage and bias the manifold against a shoulder 200 on the coupling 152.

Adjacent each end of the manifold and in vertical alignment below the manifold an angle 202 is secured to the inside of the reinforcing ring 290. Cross angles 203 are in turn welded at their opposite ends to angles 202. This securement holds the side walls of the tank together as Well as provides a cradle upon which the manifold can rest when the manifold is not supported by the sleeves 152 and 154.

To remove the manifold from the pump side of the unit it is necessary to remove the pump tube 160, the nuts 192, the accompanying ring 192 and the sleeve 152, so that the manifold can he slid out the remaining opening in the wall 189. There is always sufficient clearance space extending the length of the manifold because of the loca tion of the pumps. It is also possible if sufficient clearance is provided on the opposite side of the unit to remove only the sleeve 154 and to slide the manifold from the remaining opening in the wall. This eliminates the requirement of removing the pump tube 160. Moreover, once the end of the manifold tube is clear of sleeve 152 on its way out the opposite tank wall opening, the tube can be canted sufliciently by lifting the cleared end vertically and by then shifting the whole tube axially tube removal is possible from the open top of the tank. A cover 204 is hinged to the tank to close it during the actual spraying. Since the angles 203 cradle at least part of the manifold during any and each of these possible ways of removing the manifold, such tasks can typically be accomplished by only one man which otherwise would be a two man operation.

It is noted in FIG. 12 that the manifold depicted is on the underside of the web or is the upstream manifold Where the spray discharge is upwardly. On the downstream manifold where the spray discharge is downwardly, the manifold would have the same cradled support on the angles 203 and the spray discharge would be between the angles.

Another important aspect of this invention is the means of economically and reliably dissipating the high velocity spray while also firmly but gently holding the fabric web relative to the spray discharge to maintain the high spray concentration against the fabric. The disclosed backup roll has an inside tube 206 without holes which is connected at its end to end caps 207 and in turn with stub shafts 208. The stub shafts 208 are mounted rotatably from journals (not shown) supported by the tank walls 189 and are free wheeling under the influence of the moving carrier belt trained about the roller. Supported on the inside tube 206 are right and left hand helixes 209 and 210 which begin at the tube center and extend outwardly to the roll'end specifically at end plates 211. A perforated outer tube or sleeve 213 fits over the helixes and is secured thereto and to the end caps 211 as by periodic spot welds.

The perforation pattern on the outer tube 213 defines many circular openingsoriented in parallel rows axially of the roll and other parallel rows that wind helically of the roll and cross the axial rows to provide a maximum area of openings with a minimum of supporting web structure between the openings. Because the outer tube does have to be structurally durable to withstand both the dynamic forces of the carrier belt and the liquid spray, on a continuing basis without fatigue failure, this invention has a particular merit. In this regard, note that the unsupported space on the outer tube between the various helix flights is small to minimize the strain on each span. Further, the flights constantly cross a different set of structural webs 217, for example, defined between the openings so that no one row of webs is consistently being flexed by the hydrodynamic force to reduce fatigue failures. A disc 218 is secured to both helixes as at the inner flight to provide stability at the center of the roll.

The spray pattern is directed through the outer tube and against the helixes and the solid tube, and the closely spaced helix flights prevent lateral buildup or accumulation of the spray dissipation. Moreover spray discharge against the flights imposes a water wheel effect on the backup roll to rotate it, so that by directing the helixes properly the roll turns with a spray assist in the same direction that the carrier belt turns it to reduce drag and wear between the roll and fabric web.

Also note in FIG. 12 the use of an anti-splash angle 22% which is located crosswise to the fabric web and the carrier belt spaced from the spray manifold and between the spray manifold and the slot 221 to the tank through which the web and carrier belt pass. This angle is located closely adjacent the backup roll and is oriented such that any spray dissipation off the backup roll is precluded from passage beyond the open slot to minimize spillage from the confinement of the tank.

Another important aspect of this invention is the use of means for adjusting the spray pressure at the nozzles which thereby varies the spray velocity. This variation in spray discharge velocity is most important since it adds versatility to the unit, such as for washing, for liquid or temperature treating or setting, or for mechanical depigmenting such as excess pigments after a dye or print job on the fabric. The disclosed valve 161 is a butterfly valve and has an operating handle 225 which rotates the valve plate (not shown) so that its alignment is axially of flow when fully opened, normal to the flow when completely closed, or aligned at any angle inbetween for variations of flow and pressure. The valve has a face plate 226 which has a plurality of notches 227 and the handle has a spring element 228 which can be flexed and fitted into any of the notches 227 for holding the handle at incrementally spaced positions. Since normal operating pump pressures might go as high as 200 p.s.i. and where under certain spray circumstances only a nominal pressure of 15 to 25 p.s.i. might be required, the fixed number of notches is quite restrictive in accurate pressure adjustment of the valve. Accordingly, a backup plate 229 is fixed to the valve and the notched plate 227 is supported rotatably relative to the backup plate 229, and a clamping bolt and nut arrangement fitted through an opening in the notched plate 226 and through slot 231 in the stationary plate 229 provide secured rotatable adjustment of the notched plate. This angular adjustment of the slot 231 is at least through the angle between any pair of adjacent notches so that infinite valve adjustments can be made with relatively simple and low cost components. This allows precise closely controlled pressure which might be determined by a pressure gauge 233 downstream of the valve so that the precise pressure and thus spray velocity can be provided.

As noted, two manifolds and two supply pumps are provided for the wash tank 17 and also for the time tank 20, although only one filter device and sump is used for each tank to feed both pumps. Normally makeup liquid is directed to each tank by automatic liquid level control means (not shown) and it is generally desirable to maintain some definite level in the tank; although a continuing rate overflow is most practical for carrying away the wash chemicals etc. from the rinse tank. Means (not shown) are also provided to heat the liquid in the tanks to the desired temperatures, and these means could be steam and/or cold water discharge lines to the tank that are controlled by the liquid makeup control and a temperature control (not shown).

1 What is claimed is: 1. A liquid spray machine, comprising a tank for confinin liquid, a pump having its inlet connected to the tank, filter means located between the tank and pump inlet, a manifold located across the tank above the liquid level, means including a control valve connecting the pump outlet to the manifold, a backup roll located across the tank adjacent the manifold and also being above the liquid level, spray nozzles from the manifold adapted to discharge against the backup roll, a pervious carrier belt passing over the backup roll adjacent the spray nozzles, means for driving the carrier belt at a given speed, means for feeding a fabric web to the control of the carrier belt, means for operating said web feeding means at a predetermined underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed, extractor rolls located downstream of the carrier belt and adapted to pass the web therebetween, means located between the extractor rolls and the carrier belt for determining web slack, means responsive to the web slack for driving the extractor rolls at an underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed, an uncurling roll adjacent the web between the extractor rolls and the carrier belt, means supporting the uncurling roll to move either to a position clear of the web or to a position where the roll engages and diverts the web, means for rotating the uncurling roll at a different peripheral speed than the speed of the web, and means including a right hand helix and a left hand helix diverging from the center of the uncurling roll outwardly on the roll periphery toward the edges thereof effective for uncurling the edges of the centered engaged web.

2. A liquid spray machine according to claim 1, wherein said backup roll has a solid inner tube and a outer tube located in concentric outwardly spaced relation thereto and having a symmetrical perforation pattern therethrough, helical flights diverging in opposite left and right hand directions from the center of the roll to the opposite edges of the roll and being secured between the inner and outer tubes, whereby the helical flights traverse the outer tube perforation pattern in a random fashion.

3. A liquid spray machine according to claim 1, wherein the uncurling roll is located between the carrier belt and the web slack sensing means, and wherein the rotation of the uncurling roll is such so as to move any web slack toward the slack sensing means.

4. A liquid spray machine according to claim 1, wherein an uncurling roll of the type indicated is also located upstream of the fabric web feeding means and wherein the rotation of the latter mentioned uncurling roll is such so as to move any web slack upstream of the web feed means.

5. A liquid spray machine according to claim 1, wherein means removably mount the manifold relative to the tank, said manifold mounting means including a pair of horizontally spaced guides across the tank underlying the manifold on opposite sides of the manifold center line.

6. A liquid spray machine according to claim 5, wherein the manifold mounting means includes a pair of opposing sleeve fittings adapted to receive and support the opposite ends of the manifold, one end of the manifold being plugged and the other end of the manifold being connected to the pump outlet, and wherein an adjustment screw is secured on the sleeve adjacent the plugged end of the manifold and adapted to abut and bias the manifold against the opposite manifold sleeve fitting.

7. A liquid spray machine, comprising a tank for confining liquid, a pump having its inlet connected to the tank, filter means located between the tank and pump passing over the backup roll adjacent the spray nozzles, means for driving the carrier belt at a given speed, means for feeding a fabric web to the control of the carrier belt, means for operating said web feeding means at a predetermined underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed, extractor rolls located downstream of the carrier belt and isolated from the spray nozzles adapted to pass the web therebetween and squeeze excess liquid from the web, means located between the extractor rolls and the carrier belt for determining web slack, and means responsive to the web slack for driving the extractor rolls at an underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed.

8. A liquid spray machine according to claim 7, wherein means removably mount the manifold relative to the tank, said manifold mounting means including a pair of horizontally spaced guides across the tank underlying the manifold on opposite sides of the manifold center line, a pair of opposing sleeve fittings removably secured to the tank and adapted to receive and support the opposite ends of the manifold, one end of the manifold being plugged and the other end of the manifold being connected to the pump outlet, and an adjustment screw secured on the sleeve adjacent the plugged end of the manifold and adapted to abut and bias the manifold against the opposite manifold sleeve fitting.

9. A liquid spray machine according to claim 7, further including a pair of uncurling rolls on opposite sides of the web between the carrier belt and extractor rolls, means supporting the uncurling rolls to move either to a position where both rolls clear the web or to a position where both rolls engage and divert the web, means including a right hand helix and a left hand helix diverging from the center of each uncurling roll outwardly on the roll surface toward the edges thereof, and means for rotating the uncurling rolls at different surface speeds than the speed of the web and in proper directions effective for uncurling the edges of the centered engaged web and for shifting web slack toward the slack sensing means.

10. A liquid spray machine, comprising a tank confining liquid, a pump having its inlet connected to the tank, filter means located between the tank and pump inlet, a manifold located across the tank above the liquid level, means including a control valve connecting the pump outlet to the manifold, a backup roll located across the tank adjacent the manifold and also being above the liquid level, spray nozzles from the manifold adapted to discharge against the backup roll, a pervious carrier belt passing over the backup roll adjacent the spray nozzles, means for driving the carrier belt at a given speed, means for feeding a fabric web to the control of the carrier belt, means for operating said web feeding means at a predetermined underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed, an uncurling roll adjacent the web upstream of the web feeding means, means supporting the uncurling roll to move either to a position clear of the web or to a position where the roll engages and diverts the web, means including a right hand helix and a left hand helix diverging from the center of the uncurling roll outwardly on the roll periphery toward the edges thereof,

and means for rotating the uncurling roll at a different surface speed than the speed of the web, and in a direction relative thereto eifective for uncurling the edges of the centered engaged web and for shifting any web slack upstream and away from the web feeding means.

11. A liquid spray machine according to claim 10, further including an uncurling roll of the type indicated also being located downstream of the carrier belt, and wherein the rotation of the latter mentioned uncurling roll is such so as to move any web slack downstream of the carrier belt.

12. A liquid spray machine according to claim 11, further including extractor rolls located downstream of the second mentioned uncurling roll and adapted to pass the web therebetween and squeeze excess liquid from the web, means located between the extractor rolls and the second mentioned uncurling roll for determining web slack, and means responsive to the web slack for driving the extractor rolls at an underfeed or overfeed condition relative to the carrier belt speed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,723,514 8/19-29 Klein 8-151 2,474,717 6/ 1949 Belcher 8151 2,613,521 10/1952 Walmsley 8l51 2,846,862 8/1958 Morrill 6822 R 3,235,932 2/ 1966 Jones 6822 R X 3,518,848 7/1970 Becker 68205 R WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

